The merchant was muttering to himself with a look of despair plastered on his face.
“……..A curse. What’s with this curse…… However many people it takes, I’ll undo this curse……..”
Shaking all over the merchants backs away before running off.
I laugh softly.
“Fumu. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when he finds out that the curse cannot be lifted.” (Arnos)
“You look like a demon king.” Sasha teases me.
“It looks like you’re the one having fun to me.” (Arnos)
When I pointed this out, she smiled at me.
“I feel refreshed. I don’t like people like that who seem to think money is everything.” (Sasha)
“He’ll never be able to handle money again. Perhaps he’ll turn over a new leaf.” (Arnos)
“You being serious?” (Sasha)
Obviously, Sasha doesn’t think the merchant will change.
“If he doesn’t it’s just a slow death. Some people can’t face themselves unless their lives depend on it. It’s a minuscule chance though. Two thousand years ago, some people went through such experiences and they grew to the point where they were called saints.” (Arnos)
After looking at me in amazement, Sasha shifted her gaze to her sister.
“What do you think Misha?” (Sasha)
Misha thought about it for a while before answering.
“…….Will die……” (Misha)
“If he wants to die a martyr to his beliefs and money then that’s up to him. That’s his way of life.” (Arnos)
Sasha looked speechless.
“I don’t think that way of dying is as cool as you make it sound…….. It’s nothing but a miserable and tragic end.” (Sasha)
“Arnos like.” (Misha)
“…Errrm…….”
A voice called out to me and when I turned around the hooded girl from earlier was standing there.
“Thank you. You saved me.” (girl)
She lets out a carefree laugh.
“Huh? No need to thank me. I do have a question for you though.” (Arnos)
The girl looked at me puzzled.
“What is it?” (girl)
“Do you know how to get to the great spirit forest Ahartherun?” (Arnos)
The girl quickly grabbed my hand with both of hers.
“You believe me?” (girl)
Fumu. This is an unexpected reaction.
“I know for a fact that Ahartherun exists so of course I believe you.” (Arnos)
“Eeh…..?” (girl)
The girl stared at me in amazement.
“By any chance…… Have you been there?” (girl)
“Yeah.” (Arnos)
The girl latched onto my words.
“Really? When?” (girl)
“The last time would be 2000 years ago now.” (Arnos)
“2000 years ago……..?” (girl)
The girl’s eyes widened even further in surprise.
“Well, you don’t have to believe me. I need to know the rumours to enter Ahartherun. If you know them can you tell me?” (Arnos)
The girl looked down in thought.
“Of course, I’m not asking for free. I’ll give you whatever you desire.” (Arnos)
She looks up and directs a strong gaze at me.
“Then in exchange for telling you how to get there will you take me with you?” (girl)
Hou? That’s an unexpected offer.
“Well, it’s easy enough to take you there but what do you want with Ahartherun?” (Arnos)
She falls silent and her expression seems to sink somehow.
“If you can’t tell me I won’t force you.” (Arnos)
Still looking down the girl opens her mouth.
“…..I don’t know…..” (girl)
“What do you mean?” (Arnos)
She fell silent again before answering.
“……This is going to sound strange but……” (girl)
“I promise I’ll never laugh at you.” (Arnos)
The girl looked back up and met my eyes before smiling.
“You’re a good man.” (girl)
“Is that so?” (Arnos)
The girl nodded and took on a serious expression again.
“I’ve……… lost my memory…..” (Girl)
“Oh? That must be difficult?” (Arnos)
“When I became aware I was already in this city……. I think I had to do something, but I can’t remember……” (girl)
She speaks haltingly.
“While I was walking around this city I heard about the great spirit forest of Ahartherun and I remembered one thing. I had to go there. I don’t know why but I have a feeling that something very important is there.” (girl)
“Do you want to remember?” (Misha)
